Adjustable support for bed spring



N 2 1966 I R. B. MADDOX 3,287,745

ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT FOR BED SPRING Filed 001;. 21, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG-8 INVENTOR. ROBERT B. MADDOX.

M MM

ATTO NEYS.

Nov. 29, 1966 R. B. MADDOX ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT FOR BED SPRING 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 21, 1964 FIG-3 FIG-4 YIIIIIIIIII({! II A FIG-5 IIAIII/III/l R. .m N E V m I8 4 6 G F ROBERT B. MADDOX.

i ATTERNEYS.

United States Patent 3,287,745 ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT FOR BED SPRING Robert B. Maddox, Cincinnati, Ghio, assignor to Robert B.

Maddox Associates, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Get. 21, 1964, Ser. No. 405,347 18 Claims. (Cl. -263) Tlus invention relates to a support for a bed spring and, more particularly, to an adjustable support for a bed spring of the flat or coil spring type.

Bed springs of the flat spring type tend to sag. As a result, a type of mattress support, known as the box spring in which coil springs are employed, has been developed. However, the box spring structure is much more expensive than the flat spring structure.

The present invention overcomes the disadvantage of the flat spring type of bed spring providing a support structure beneath the flat spring structure. This support structure is adjustable to vary the force of the applied support and to permit the support structure to contact various portions of the flat spring structure to which it supplies support.

When two individuals utilize a double bed mattress, one may desire to have a more firm support than the other. The present invention permits more firm support to one of the individuals using a double bed mattress than the other when the mattress is supported by a fiat spring structure. The present invention is adapted to vary the force of the support provided to the flat spring structure so that the individual, who desires a more firm support, may regulate the firmness of the support.

Also when two individuals occupy a double bed this device may be employed to keep them from rolling together or hammocking by introducing a positive force along this longitudinal axis of the portion of the mattress.

An object of this invention is to provide a device for supporting a flat spring type of bed spring in which support is applied to a large area of the bed spring.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device for supporting a flat spring type of bed spring in which the area of application of support to the bed spring may be varied.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device for supporting a flat spring type of bed spring in which the force of the support appli d to the bed spring may be varied.

Other objects, uses, and advantages of this invention are apparent upon a reading of this description, which proceeds with reference to the drawings forming part thereof and wherein: H

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a bed spring of the flat spring type with portions broken away to show the support device of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation-a1 view of the structure of FIGURE 1 and showing a mattress in phantom on top of the bed spring.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, of the structure of FIGURE 1 taken along line 33 of FIG- URE 1 and showing the mattress in phantom on top of the flat spring structure.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view, partly in elevation and similar to FIGURE 3, with the support in engagement with the fiat spring structure and showing the mattress in phantom on top of the flat spring structure.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view, partly in elevation and similar to FIGURE 3, but disclosing the resilient pad of the present invention moved to one side to provide support to one side of the flat spring structure and showing the mattress in phantom on top of the flat spring structure.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional View, partly in elevation, and

3,287,745 Patented Nov. 29, 1966 similar to FIGURE 5, with the resilient pad of the present invention in engagement with the fiat spring structure and showing the mattress in phantom on top of the fiat spring structure.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 77 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary View showing the frame and bracket of FIGURE 7.

Referring to the drawings and particularly FIGURE 1, there is shown a horizontally disposed rectangular frame 10. The frame It) is formed of side rails 12 and 14, foot rail 16, and head rail 18. Each of the rails has a top portion and a side portion depending from the top portion.

A plurality of flat springs extends from the side rail 12 to the side rail 14 in parallel relationship to each other, to the foot rail 16, and to the head rail 18. A plurality of flat springs 22 extends from the head rail 18 to the foot rail 16 in parallel relationship to each other and to the side rails 12 and 14. Each of the flat springs 20 and 22 is connected to the appropriate rails of the frame 10 by coil springs 24 to form a fiat spring structure. It should be understood that the flat spring structure may be formed of any other suitable structure, which provides a fiat spring arrangement, such as a link or woven fabric, or vertical coil spring for example.

The side rails 12 and 14 are connected by a plurality of spaced spreader bars (two shown at 26 and 27). The spreader bars 26 maintain tension on the side rails 12 and 14 to provide proper support thereto.

A platform 28 is disposed beneath the flat spring structure in spaced relation thereo (see FIGURE 2). The platform 28 has spaced apertured lugs 30 and 32 (see FIGURE 2) extending downwardly therefrom.

As shown in FIGURES 3 to 6, the apertured lug 30 has one end of a lever 34 pivotally connected thereto by a pin 35. The lever 34 is pivotally connected by a pin 36, which serves as a fulcrum for the lever 34, to a portion of a continuous bar 38 (see FIGURE 2), which extends between the spreader bars 26 and 27 and is disposed substantially perpendicular to the spreader bars 26 and 27. The other end of the lever 34 is secured to a flexible mem ber 40.

The flexible member 40 is connected to a Windlass bar 42 for winding thereon. One end of the Windlass bar 42 is journaled in a gear housing 44 (see FIGURE 2), which is attached to a leg 46 of the frame 10. The other end of the Windlass bar 42 is journaled in an opening in a flange 48 (see FIGURES 3-6) extending substantially perpendicular from a leg 50 of the frame 10.

The apertured lug 32 is pivotally connected by a pin (not shown) to one end of a lever 52, which is pivotally mounted by a pin (not shown) to a portion of the continuous bar 38. The other end of the lever 52 is attached to a flexible member 54, which also is connected to the Windlass bar 42 for winding thereon.

When the Windlass bar 42 is rotated through gears within the gear housing 44 by actuation of a lever 56 of the gear housing 44, the platform 28 is moved upwardly as the levers 34 and 52 simultaneously rotate clockwise (as viewed in FIGURES 3 to 6). Because of the gearing arrangement within the gear housing 44, the platform 28 a platform 28 to laterally position the pad 58 on either the left side, the right side, or the center. The pad 58 is laterally adjusted with respect to the platform 28 by a member 60, which may be made of plastic or cloth, for example. The member 60 is completely wrapped around the resilient pad 58 to maintain it in the adjusted position and to move it across the platform 28.

As shown in FIGURES 7 and 8, the member 60 extends through an aperture 63 in a bracket 64, which depends from the side rail 14 of the frame 10. The aperture in the bracket 64, is formed with a wedge shape having one portion larger than the other portion. It is to be understood that the aperture 63 could be provided in the side rail 14 and thereby eliminate bracket 64.

When the member 60 is in the first or larger portion of the aperture in the bracket 64, the member may be moved relative thereto. When the member 60 is disposed in the second or smaller portion of the aperture in the bracket 64, it is prevented from moving relative thereto. A similar arrangement exists between the other end of the member 60 and the side rail 12.

Considering the operation of the present invention and referring to FIGURES 3 and 4, the pad 58 is shown in the center of the platform 28 with the platform 28 in its lowermost position. In its lowermost position, the resilient pad 58 is vertically spaced from the flat spring structure within the frame 10. The top of the flat spring structure has a mattress 62 (shown in phantom) resting thereon.

When the lever 56 of the gear housing 44 is actuated, the levers 34 and 52 pivot about their fulcrums to raise the resilient pad 58 into contact with the bottom of the flat spring structure of the frame to support the center portion of the flat spring structure. The amount of elevation of the platform 28 determines the force of the support applied to the flat spring structure by the resilient pad 58. Thus, various degrees of support are provided to the flat spring structure depending on the elevation of the platform 28.

This degree of support is shown on an indicator 66, which is mounted on a face board 67 attached to the frame 10. The indicator 66 includes a pointer 68 which projects through a slot 69 in board 67. The pointer is connected to a suitable weight 70 which lies behind the board 67. A suitable connector wire, string or chain 71 connects the weight, via support loop 72 to the Windlass bar 42. As the bar 42 is rotated the pointer 68 moves up or down within the slot 69 and cooperates with suitable indicia (hard, medium, soft) on the board adjacent the slot, to indicate the degree of support. When it is desired to increase or decrease the force of the support, the lever 56 of the gear housing 44 is actuated.

If it is desired to provide support to the left side of the fiat spring structure and to the mattress 62 resting thereon, for example, the resilient pad 58 is moved from the position of FIGURES 3 and 4 to the position of FIGURES 5 and 6. This is accomplished by moving the member 60 to the larger portion of the aperture 63 and pulling on the left end of the member 60 until the pad 58 is at the position to provide support to the left side of the fiat spring structure and the mattress 62 thereon. The resilient pad 58 is shown in this position, the member 60 is returned to the smaller portion of the aperture 63.

By actuating the lever 56 of the gear housing 44, the Windlass bar 42 elevates the platform 28 to move the resilient pad 58 into engagement with the flat spring structure of the frame 10. The force exerted by the pad 58 on the flat spring structure is determined by the elevation of the platform 28. The indicator 66 shows the support force being applied to the flat spring structure and the mattress 62 thereon.

When the resilient pad 58 is moved to either the left side or the right side of the platform 28, the elevation of the platform 28 is limited-by engagement with the member 60. This prevents the platform 28 from engaging the fiat spring structure (see FIGURE 6).

If it is desired to provide support to the right side of the flat spring structure of the frame 10 and the mattress 62 supported thereon, the right end of the member 60 is grasped rather than the left end to pull the resilient pad 58 to the right. The resilient pad 58 is easily moved laterally to either side of the flat spring structure when the platform 28 is in its lowermost position since there is sufiicient clearance between the pad 58 and the flat spring structure within the frame 10.

Since the resilient pad 58 and the platform 28 have the same length, the platform 28 provides support to the entire length of the resilient pad 58. The resilient pad 58 and the platform 28 preferably extend from the area in which the shoulders of an individual, who is lying on the mattress 62, are positioned to about a foot below the buttocks of the individual, who is lying on the mattress. This is approximately one-half to two-thirds of the length of the flat spring structure of the frame 10.

While the resilient pad 58 hasbeen shown as laterally adjustable on the platform 28, it should be understood that the resilient pad 58 could be integral with the platform 28 when the device of the present invention is designed for use with a single bed. It also should be understood that the levers 34 and 52 could be pivotally mounted on the adjacent spreader bars 26 and 27, respectively, rather than on the continuous bar. 38; in this arrangement, the continuous bar 38 would not be employed.

An advantage of this invention is that a double bed mattress may be made firm on either its right or left side. Another advantage of this invention is that it eliminates the need of the expensive box spring construction while still providing firm support to the mattress. A further advantage of this inventiton is that it gives a longer life to the mattress.

For purposes of exemplification, a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described according to the best present understanding thereof. However, it will be apparent that changes and modifications in the arrangement and construction of the parts thereof may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A support for a flat spring structure mounted in a frame, said support including a platform, a resilient pad moveably disposed on said platform for support and movement thereon, means to move said platform with respect to the spring structure whereby said resilient pad is adapted to move into engagement with the bottom of the spring structure to provide support thereto, and means to control the movement of said platform to vary the force of the support transmitted to the flat spring structure from said resilient pad.

2. The combination of claim 1 including means for indicating the degree of force applied by said pad to said spring structure.

3. A support for a flat spring structure mounted in a frame, said support including a platform, a resilient pad disposed on said platform for support thereby, said platform having a width greater than the width of said resilient pad, means to move said platform with respect to the fiat spring structure whereby said resilient pad is adapted to move into engagement with the bottom of the spring structure to provide support thereto, and means to control the movement of said platform to vary the force of the support transmitted to the spring structure from said resilient pad.

4. A support for a spring structure mounted in a frame, said support including a platform, a resilient pad disposed on said platform for support thereby, means to adjust the lateral position of said resilient pad with respect to said platform, means to move said platform with respect to the spring structure whereby said resilient pad is adapted to move into engagement with the bottom of the spring structure to provide support thereto, and means to control the movement of said platform to vary the force of the support transmitted to the spring structure from said resilient pad.

5. A support for a spring structure mounted in a frame, said support including a platform, a resilient pad disposed on said platform for support thereby, said platform having a width greater than the width of said resilient pad, means to adjust the lateral position of said resilient pad with respect to said platform, means to move said platform with respect to the spring structure whereby said resilient pad is adapted to move into engagement with the bottom of the spring structure to provide support thereto, and means to control the movement of said platform to vary the force of the support transmitted to the spring structure from said resilient pad.

6. A support for a flat spring structure mounted in a frame, said support including a platform, a resilient pad disposed on said platform for support thereby, at least one lever having one end pivotally connected to said platform, said lever being fulcrumed on the frame of the flat spring structure, means connected to the other end of said lever to actuate said lever to move said platform with respect to'the spring structure whereby said resilient pad is adapted to move into engagement with the bottom of the spring structure to provide support thereto, and said connected means including means to control the movement of said platform to vary the force of the support transmitted to the spring structure from said resilient pad.

7. A support for a spring structure mounted in a frame,

said support including a platform, a resilient pad disposed on said platform for support thereby, said platform having a width greater than the width of said resilient pad, at least one lever having one end pivotally connected to said platform, said lever being fulcrumed on the frame of the spring structure, means connected to the other end of said lever to actuate said lever to move said platform with respect to the spring structure whereby said resilient pad is adapted to move into engagement with the bottom of the spring structure to provide support thereto, and said connected means including means to control the movement of said platform to vary the force of the support transmitted to the spring structure from said resilient pad.

8. A support for a spring structure mounted in a frame, said support including a platform, a resilient pad disposed on said platform for support thereby, means to adjust the lateral position of said resilient pad with respect to said platform, at least one lever having one end pivotally connected to said platform, said lever being fulcrumed on the frame of the spring structure, means connected to the other end of said lever to actuate said lever to move said platform with respect to the spring structure whereby said resilient pad is adapted to move into engagement with the bottom of the spring structure to provide support thereto, and said connected means including means to control the movement of said platform to vary the force of the support transmitted to the spring structure from said resilient pad.

9. A support for a spring structure mounted in a frame, said support including a platform, a resilient pad disposed on said platform for support thereby, said platform having a width greater than the width of said resilient pad, means to adjust the lateral position of said resilient pad with respect to said platform, at least one lever having one end pivotally connected to said platform, said lever being fulcrumed on the frame of the spring structure means connected to the other end of said lever to actuate said lever to move said platform with respect to the spring structure whereby said resilient pad is adapted to move into engagement with the bottom of the spring structure to provided support thereto, and said connected means including means to control the movement of said platform to vary the force of the support transmitted to the spring structure from said resilient pad,

10. In combination, a frame, a spring structure sup ported by said frame, at least one spreader bar connecting opposite sides of said frame, a platform disposed beneath said spring structure, a resilient pad supported by said platform and disposed beneath said spring structure, means connected to said platform and said spreader bar for moving said platform to move said resilient pad into engagement with the bottom of said spring structure to provide support thereto, and means to control the movement of said platform to vary the force of the support transmitted to the spring structure from said resilient pad.

11. In combination, a frame, a spring structure supported by said frame, at least one spreader bar connecting opposite sides of said frame, a platform disposed beneath said spring structure, a resilient pad supported by said platform and disposed beneath said spring structure, said platform having a width greater than the width of said resilient pad, means connected to said platform and said spreader bar for moving said platform to move said resilient pad into engagement with the bottom of said spring structure to provide support thereto, and means to control the movement of said platform to vary the force of the support transmitted to the spring structure from said resilient pad.

12. In combination, a frame, a spring structure supported by said frame, at least one spreader bar connecting opposite sides of said frame, a platform disposed beneath said spring structure, a resilient pad supported by said platform and disposed beneath said spring structure, means to adjust the lateral position of said resilient pad with respect to said platform, means connected to said platform and said spreader bar for moving said platform to move said resilient pad into engagement with the bottom of said spring structure to provide support thereto, and means to control the movement of said platform to vary the force of the support transmitted to the spring structure from said resilient pad.

13. In combination, a frame, a spring structure supported by said frame, at least one spreader bar connecting opposite sides of said frame, a platform disposed beneath said spring structure, a resilient pad supported by said platform and disposed beneath said spring structure, said platform having a width greater than the width of said resilient pad, means to adjust the lateral position of said resilient pad with respect to said platform, means connected to said platform and said spreader bar for moving said platform to move said resilient pad into engagement with the bottom of said spring structure to provide support thereto, and means to control the movement of said platform to vary the force of the support transmitted to the spring structure from said resilient pad.

14. In combination, a frame, a spring structure supported by said frame, at least two spaced spreader bars connecting opposite sides of said frame, a bar disposed substantially perpendicular to said spreader bars and connected thereto, a platform disposed beneath said spring structure, a resilient pad supported by said platform and disposed beneath said spring structure, at least two levers with each of said levers having one end pivotally connected to said platform, each of said levers being fulcrumed on said connected bar, means connected to the other end of each of said levers to actuate said levers simultaneously for moving said platform to move said resilient pad into engagement with the bottom of said spring structure to provide support thereto, and said connected means including means to control the movement of said platform to vary the force of the support transmitted to the spring structure from said resilient pad.

15. In combination, a frame, a spring structure supported by said frame, at least two spaced spreader bars connecting opposite sides of said frame, a bar disposed substantially perpendicular to said spreader bars and connected thereto, a platform disposed beneath said spring structure, a resilient pad supported by said platform and disposed beneath said spring structure, said platform having a width greater than the width of said resilient pad, at least two levers with each of said levers having one end pivotally connected to said platform, each of said levers being fulcrumed on said connected bar, means connected to the other end of each of said levers to actuate said levers simultaneously for moving said platform to move said resilient pad into engagement with the bottom of said spring structure to provide support thereto, and said connected means including means to control the move ment of said platform to vary the force of the support transmitted to the spring structure from said resilient pad.

16. In combination, a frame, a spring structure supported by said frame, at least two spaced spreader bars connecting opposite sides of said frame, a bar disposed substantially perpendicular to said spreader bars and connected thereto, a platform disposed beneath said spring structure, a resilient pad supported by said platform and disposed beneath said spring structure, means to adjust the lateral position of said resilient pad with respect to said platform, at least two levers with each of said levers having one end pivotally connected to said platform, each of said levers being fulcrumed on said connected bar, means connected to the other end of each of said levers to actuate said levers simultaneously for moving said platform to move said resilient pad into engagement with the bottom of said spring structure to provide support connecting opposite sides of said frame, a bar disposed.

structure, a resilient pad supported by said platform and disposed beneath said spring structure, said platform having a width greater than the width of'said resilient pad, means to adjust the lateral position of said resilient pad with respect to said platform, at least two levers with each of said levers having one end pivotally connected to said platform, each of said levers being fulcrumed on said connected bar, means connected to the other end of each of said platform to move said resilient pad into engagement with the bottom of said spring structure to provide support thereto, and said connected means including means to control the movement of said platform to vary the force of the support transmitted to the spring structure from said resilient pad.

18. The combination of claim 16 and including means for indicating the degree of force applied by said pad to said spring structure.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 277,639 5/1883 Wenzell 5278 386,849 7/1888 Rippon 267-89 1,938,277 12/1933 Chenault 5248 2,049,550 8/1936 Van Dresser et a1 267-89 2,327,829 8/1943 Sternberg et al 73161 FOREIGN PATENTS 269,072 1/ 1914 Germany.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. R. D. KRAUS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A SUPPORT FOR A FLAT SPRING STRUCTURE MOUNTED IN A FRAME, SAID SUPPORT INCLUDING A PLATFORM, A RESILIENT PAD MOVABLY DISPOSED ON SAID PLATFORM FOR SUPPORTING AND MOVEMENT THEREON, MEANS TO MOVE SAID PLATFORM WITH RESPECT TO THE SPRING STRUCTURE WHEREBY SAID RESILIENT PAD IS ADAPTED TO MOVE INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE BOTTOM OF THE SPRING STRUCTURE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT THERETO, AND MEANS TO CONTROL THE MOVEMENT OF SAID PLATFORM TO VARY THE FORCE OF THE SUPPORT TRANSMITTED TO THE FLAT SPRING STRUCTURE FROM SAID RESILIENT PAD. 